The Face of the Captain

The great author Robert Louis Stevenson once told the story of a ship tossed in a storm. The sea was rough, and the rocky coast extremely dangerous. In a moment of panic, one distraught sailor working below deck rushed to the control room to see for himself what was going on. He stood frozen in fright as he watched the captain use every ounce of his skill and courage to try to navigate the ship through the threatening rocks and back out into the open sea.

The captain turned just enough to look at the frightened sailor, his face relaxed. The young man returned to his work and assured the crew all danger was over. When they asked how he knew, he answered, “I have seen the face of the Captain.”

When we are trying to navigate the stormy waters of life, we can be sure that in Jesus Christ, we too have seen the face of the Captain. We are assured of his grace, and we know his love and concern for us. It is a love that would step into this world, a love that would walk alongside us, and even suffer and die. And it is a love and a power that even death could not conquer.

In Matthew 10:29–31, Jesus says,

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Do not fear… Do not fear… You have seen the face of the Captain.

Let us pray: God of Hope, sometimes it feels as though we are caught in a great storm. The burdens we carry and the situations we face are often heavy and beyond our control. Help us to let go of our fear and to trust you. We ask today for your guidance and your protection—for ourselves and for those we love. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.